WO2010091282A2 - Appareil structurel flexible, ressort, recouvrement de plaie, et procédés - Google Patents

Appareil structurel flexible, ressort, recouvrement de plaie, et procédés Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010091282A2
WO2010091282A2 PCT/US2010/023362 US2010023362W WO2010091282A2 WO 2010091282 A2 WO2010091282 A2 WO 2010091282A2 US 2010023362 W US2010023362 W US 2010023362W WO 2010091282 A2 WO2010091282 A2 WO 2010091282A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
beams
length
connections
connection
width
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/023362
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2010091282A3 (fr
Inventor
Todd H. Turnlund
Ted W. Layman
Richard A. Glenn
Original Assignee
Tht Consulting, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tht Consulting, Llc filed Critical Tht Consulting, Llc
Publication of WO2010091282A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010091282A2/fr
Publication of WO2010091282A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010091282A3/fr

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F15/00Auxiliary appliances for wound dressings; Dispensing containers for dressings or bandages
    • A61F15/008Appliances for wound protecting, e.g. avoiding contact between wound and bandage

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to flexible structures and springs and methods of making and using such devices.
  • Particular embodiments concern wound coverings, including raised wound coverings that protect the wound from contact, enclose the wound, or both.
  • bandages have been used to protect wounds. Wounds or damage to the skin or other tissue occur quite frequently and most people experience various different wounds during their lives. Wounds, as the term is used herein, may occur accidentally or may be the result of a surgery, as examples. While many wounds may heal relatively easily, many types of wounds such as scrapes, burns, skin grafts, etc., as examples, are sensitive to subsequent damage. In order to heal, many wounds need protection from foreign matter such as dirt or bacteria, but may also benefit from protection from physical contact. Disturbing such a wound may cause pain, increase healing time, cause additional scarring or damage, worsen the patient's health, or a combination thereof, as examples. In may instances it is desirable to protect a wound from further damage in the area of the wound.
  • Bandages have been used to protect wounds from foreign material, and, to some extent, from impacts, but bandages typically have not been very effective at protecting wounds from forces perpendicular to the skin or tissue.
  • Casts have been used to immobilize limbs when bones have been broken, for example, and casts are resistant to generally perpendicular forces, but casts generally do not allow the limbs or tissue to move.
  • Wounds are often treated by placing ointment or medication on the wound and then placing a bandage on the wound.
  • the bandage typically contacts the wound. Having the bandage contact the wound is often undesirable as the bandage may stick to the wound, causing damage to the wound when the bandage is removed or when the wound moves due to the person moving.
  • a bandage which contacts the wound may cause pain or further damage to a sensitive wound such as a burn, or may irritate the wound, possibly causing increased inflammation or causing the person to scratch at the wound, as examples.
  • Conventional bandages do little to prevent accidental contact with the bandage from pressing against the wound. Thus, a bandage which contacts the wound may cause further damage or an increased level of discomfort.
  • a covering which is elevated above a wound so that the covering does not touch the wound.
  • a covering has been designed which uses a foam square around the perimeter of the wound covering with a sheet of covering material attached thereto.
  • the foam square keeps the covering material elevated off of the wound.
  • the foam bends fairly easily in one direction perpendicular to the wound covering, but thereafter may not be able to bend in another direction to form a compound curve.
  • the wound covering also may not be able to easily stretch or change shape within the plane of the wound covering because the sheet of covering material essentially forms a shear web.
  • Another wound covering uses a domed plastic cover with a corrugated section formed across the center thereof to provide flexibility.
  • This type of design has several limitations. Larger corrugations provide increased flexibility but increase the bulkiness of the wound covering, either increasing the overall height of the covering or reducing the distance between the covering and the wound. Smaller corrugations are less flexible. A stronger material of construction increases the resistance of the wound covering to collapse, but reduces the flexibility. Softer materials provide improved flexibility, but reduce the strength of the covering and allow it to more easily collapse against the wound.
  • These corrugated wound coverings provide some flexibility for bending at the corrugated joint in a lateral or vertical direction, but allow for little twisting, stretching, or skewing of the shape. Thus, they do not provide adequate flexibility for use on many locations of the body.
  • a flexible wound covering for example.
  • a flexible (e.g., domed) structure flexes with body movement, but presents a barrier which prevents objects from pressing against or exerting a force against the wound.
  • the domed structure comprises interconnected individual structural members. The individual structural members may collectively provide strength and resistance to collapse, but may also be interconnected in such a way that the wound covering provides good flexibility and accommodates some stretching and complex movement, for example.
  • wound covering devices as shown, described, or both in the figures and related description herein.
  • wound covering devices some embodiments may be used for other purposes, such as for other flexible structures or as springs, as examples.
  • Other uses and applications are described herein or may be apparent to a person of skill in the art.
  • the invention provides various flexible structural apparatus that may include, for example, multiple beams and multiple connections between the beams.
  • a number of embodiments may include multiple substantially parallel beams that may include, for example, two end beams and multiple intermediate beams.
  • the intermediate beams may be in between the two end beams, and each beam may have a length, a width, and a height.
  • the length may be at least four times greater than the width and the length may be at least four times greater than the height.
  • each connection connects one of the beams to one other of the beams, and each beam may have at least one connection to at least one other beam and each intermediate beam may have multiple connections to at least two other beams.
  • each connection may have a width dimension parallel to the length of the beams, and the width dimension of the connection may be no greater than one fourth of the length of either of the beams that the connection is between. Further, in many embodiments, each intermediate beam is restrained relative to other beams only at the connections.
  • the multiple connections may include, for example, multiple first connections and multiple second connections and multiple intermediate beams may each have at least one first connection to a first adjacent beam and at least one second connection to a second adjacent beam, for instance.
  • the at least one first connection and the at least one second connection may be spaced apart along the length of the beam by a distance of at least one fourth of the length of the beam with no other connections therebetween.
  • the connections may alternate between the at least one first connection and the at least one second connection.
  • intermediate beams may each have at least two first connections to a first adjacent beam and at least one second connection to a second adjacent beam.
  • each of the at least two first connections and the at least one second connection may be spaced apart along the length of the beam by a distance between connections of at least one fourth of the length of the beam.
  • one of the first connections may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length of the beam from a first end of the beam and one of the first connections may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length of the beam from a second end of the beam.
  • each beam has a midpoint, and for each of the multiple intermediate beams, at least one second connection may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length of the beam from the midpoint.
  • multiple of the intermediate beams may each have a preformed camber in a direction of the height of the beam.
  • different intermediate beams may have a different amount of camber in the direction of the height of the beam, and the amount of camber may vary from beam to beam from a lesser amount of camber near the end beams to a greater amount of camber midway between the end beams.
  • different intermediate beams may have a different length, and the lengths of the beams may vary from beam to beam from a lesser length near the end beams to a greater length midway between the end beams.
  • At least the first end and the second end may include, for example, an adhesive.
  • various embodiments may further include, for example, a layer that extends across at least a portion of multiple of the beams, and for multiple of the beams, the layer may extend at least from the first end to the second end, the layer may extend across each beam of the apparatus, or both.
  • the beams and connections may be all formed from a common piece of material. Even further, in particular embodiments, multiple of the beams may each have multiple bends.
  • the connections between intermediate beams may each have a length perpendicular to the length of the beams and parallel to the width of the beams, and, for multiple of the connections, the length of the connection may be less than one fifth of the length of the beams that the connection is in between.
  • the connections between intermediate beams each have a length perpendicular to the length of the beams and parallel to the width of the beams, and for multiple of the connections, the length of the connection may be greater than the width of the beams that the connection is in between.
  • the connections each have a width perpendicular to the width of the beams and parallel to the length of the beams, and, for multiple connections, the length of the connection is greater than the width of the connection. In particular embodiments, for multiple connections, the length of the connection is less than twice the width of the connection. Even further, in certain embodiments, for each of the multiple intermediate beams, the at least one first connection and the at least one second connection are spaced apart along the length of the beam by the distance of at least four times the width of the beam.
  • the invention provides a flexible structural apparatus that may include, for example, multiple substantially parallel beams that may include, for instance, two end beams and multiple intermediate beams, wherein the intermediate beams are in between the two end beams, and for multiple beams, the length is at least four times greater than the width and the length is at least five times greater than the height.
  • Such embodiments may also include multiple connections between beams, wherein each connection connects one of the beams to one other of the beams, and wherein each beam has at least one connection to at least one other beam and each intermediate beam has multiple connections to at least two other beams.
  • the width dimension of the connection is no greater than three times the width of either of the beams that the connection is between, and each intermediate beam may be restrained relative to other beams only at the connections.
  • the multiple connections may include, for example, multiple first connections and multiple second connections and multiple intermediate beams may each have at least one first connection to a first adjacent beam and at least one second connection to a second adjacent beam.
  • the at least one first connection and the at least one second connection may be spaced apart along the length of the beam by a distance of at least four times the width of the beam with no other connections therebetween, and from one end beam to the other end beam, the connections may alternate between the at least one first connection and the at least one second connection.
  • Some embodiments may further include, for example, at least two attachment features that are located at each of the two end beams.
  • at least one attachment feature that may include, for example, a through hole.
  • the apparatus may be used as a spring, for instance.
  • a wound covering that may include, for example, a plurality of lateral support members extending between generally opposing sides of the wound covering and having a generally arch shaped cross section so as to form a dome shape.
  • Such embodiments may further include a plurality of coupling members extending between adjacent lateral support members, the coupling members being disposed in an alternating pattern such that the coupling members do not extend in a linear fashion across the wound covering device.
  • Such a wound covering may also include a generally continuous protective layer extending across the wound covering, and a peripheral edge having a generally flat surface formed thereon configured for attachment to skin.
  • Particular embodiments may further include, for example, a ring pad, and the beams, the connections, the lateral support members, the coupling members, or a combination thereof, may be configured to mount on the ring pad.
  • the ring pad may include, for example, at least one split.
  • Certain embodiments may further include, for example, at least one hinge configured to attach the ring pad to the beams, the connections, the lateral support members, the coupling members, or a combination thereof.
  • Certain embodiments may include, for example, at least one module fastener configured to connect multiple modules of the wound covering together to form a larger flexible structural apparatus or wound covering.
  • the at least one module fastener may be located in at least one of the coupling members.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a wound covering placed on a knee, which is an example of a flexible structural apparatus
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the wound covering of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the wound covering of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of another wound covering similar to that of FIG. 1, which is another example of a flexible structural apparatus;
  • FIG. 5 is a an isometric view of another wound covering, which is another example of a flexible structural apparatus
  • FIG. 6 is a top view of the wound covering of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a top view of a circular wound covering, which is another example of a flexible structural apparatus
  • FIG. 8 is a top view of another wound covering, which is another example of a flexible structural apparatus
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of another wound covering, which is another example of a flexible structural apparatus.
  • FIG. 10 is a top view of a section of another wound covering, which is another example of a flexible structural apparatus
  • FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the wound covering of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 12 is an end view of a wound covering over a wound
  • FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which may be used as a wound covering, for example;
  • FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which may be used as a wound covering, for example;
  • FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which may be used as a wound covering, for example;
  • FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which may be used as a wound covering, for example;
  • FIG. 17 includes top views of several embodiments of flexible structural apparatuses which may be used as a wound covering, for example;
  • FIG. 18 includes multiple cross-sectional views of various different solid cross sections that may be used for beams, connections, ring pad, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments;
  • FIG. 19 includes multiple cross-sectional views of various different hollow cross sections that may be used for beams, connections, ring pad, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments;
  • FIG. 20 is a an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which may be used as a wound covering, for example;
  • FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an apparatus that has an attachment feature at a midpoint of each end beam;
  • FIG. 22 is an isometric view of an apparatus that has two attachment features at each end beam
  • FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which has an attachment feature at the midpoint of each end beam and that has camber in the beams;
  • FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which has a ring pad, a ring pad snap fastener, and a hinge
  • FIG. 25 is a an isometric view of a flexible structural apparatus which has a ring pad having two splits forming two segments
  • FIG. 26 is a multiple view drawing that includes a top view, an isometric view, and some cross-sectional detail views of a flexible structural apparatus which has a module fastener located in a connection at the middle of particular beams;
  • FIG. 27 is a multiple view drawing that includes a top view and an isometric view of another embodiment of a flexible structural apparatus which has module fasteners located in connections at the ends of certain beams.
  • FIG. 1 a side view of a leg, generally indicated at 10, is shown with a wound covering 20 placed over the knee 30.
  • the wound covering 20 is an example of a flexible structural apparatus, and has a domed shape, which may be shaped such that the wound covering does not touch the knee, in some embodiments, even when the knee is bent.
  • the wound covering 20 is formed of arch shaped support members which are inter-connected along various locations so that the wound covering 20 can stretch, flex, and generally move with the skin as a person moves.
  • the wound covering 20 remains separated from the wound when the person moves, preventing damage or disturbance to the wound and helping to keep objects from touching or applying a force to the wound.
  • the wound covering 20 may include a flexible covering which may extend over the outer surface of the wound covering to keep dirt and debris out of the wound, for example.
  • a flexible covering may be located over or under the beams and connections (e.g., support members and coupling members) or may weave between adjacent beams or groups of (e.g., of two, three, four, five, six, eight, or ten) beams, for example.
  • the wound covering 20 may be a separate structure which may be used in combination with covering such as gauze or the like.
  • the wound covering may be kept from touching the wound in order to promote healing of the wound and/or minimize irritation of the wound, as examples.
  • the covering may be sufficiently flexible, in some embodiments, to not interfere with the movement of the wound covering.
  • the wound covering 20 of FIG. 1 is formed with lateral support members 40 (e.g., beams) which extend between opposing sides of the wound covering.
  • the lateral support members in the embodiment illustrated, are generally arch shaped (e.g., cambered), as this shape extends upwardly and over a wound so as to not contact the wound while providing good mechanical strength and resistance to collapse, as examples.
  • the lateral support members 40 in this embodiment, are interconnected at various locations by coupling members (e.g., connections) such as the coupling members 50 placed near the ends of the support members 40.
  • the coupling members 40 in this embodiment, generally do not contact each other continuously along a portion of the wound covering 20, but rather, leave spaces 55 between adjacent coupling members 50 so that the wound covering 20 can compress at the space 55 in addition to being able to stretch.
  • the use of alternating coupling members and spaces in connecting the support members 40 allows the wound covering 20 to twist, flex, bend, and stretch to a high degree while experiencing relatively small bends in each particular support member or coupling member.
  • the coupling members help keep the support members from bending over sideways, in this embodiment, if a compressive force or downward force is applied to the top of the wound covering 20, and help spread the force between adjacent support members, allowing the wound covering 20 to prevent unintentional contact with the wound or application of force directly thereto.
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the wound covering 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2. It can be observed how the placement of the lateral support members 40 (e.g., beams) and connecting members 50 (e.g., connections) provides a wound covering 20 which can stretch, compress, flex, and twist in nearly any direction. This allows the wound covering 20 to follow the movement of the skin, in some embodiments, even if the skin is on a joint or another body location where the skin moves a lot with body movement.
  • the flexibility of the wound covering 20 may be altered by adjusting the thickness or width of the lateral support members 40 and the coupling members 50. Thus, in a number of embodiments, a wound covering 20 may be achieved which is very flexible in allowing skin movement and which is strong to resist collapse, for example.
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the wound covering 20 which is similar to that of FIG. 3.
  • the wound covering 2OA includes lateral support members 40 (e.g., beams) and coupling members 50 (e.g., connections), which may be similar to those of FIG. 3, and also includes curved coupling members 60.
  • the curved coupling members 60 provide flexibility similar to that of a spring, and thus provides some additional bracing between lateral support members, in this embodiment, while allowing for easy flexing and stretching of the wound covering 2OA.
  • the curved coupling members 60 may be used to allow for easy stretching or flexing of the wound covering 2OA within a limited range of motion while effectively limiting motion outside of that range of motion, for example.
  • FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another wound covering 2OB.
  • the wound covering 2OB includes lateral support members 40 (e.g., beams), end coupling members 50 (e.g., first connections) as well as central coupling members 70 (e.g., second connections).
  • the lateral support members 40 form a tunnel shaped structure which may protect the wound from accidental contact, for example.
  • the end coupling members 50 and the central coupling members 70 are formed alternately with spaces 55 between the lateral support members 40. This structure allows the wound covering 2OB to stretch and flex with the movement of the skin.
  • FIG. 6 a top view of the wound covering 2OB of FIG. 5 is shown. It is apparent in this view how the end coupling members (e.g., first connections) and the central coupling members (e.g., second connections) connect the lateral support members (e.g., beams) in this embodiment. Stretching or bending movements of the wound covering 2OB may involve some bending of the coupling members, the lateral support members, or both. Because of the way that the coupling members (e.g., connections) 50 and 70 are alternately disposed between the lateral support members 40, the wound covering 2OB can undergo a high degree of bending or stretching by a number of the various members bending a small amount. This allows the wound covering 2OB to bend and flex sufficiently to accommodate body movement of a person wearing the device, for example.
  • the end coupling members e.g., first connections
  • the central coupling members e.g., second connections
  • the lateral support members e.g., beams
  • central coupling member 70 (e.g., second connection) is shown in the center in the drawings, in other embodiments, the central coupling members 70 may be offset from the center, multiple central coupling members may be used per wound covering 2OB, or both.
  • the number and spacing of the various coupling members or connections (or the central coupling members in particular) may be determined by the desired size of the wound covering 2OB, by the desired amount or range of flexibility, by the desired stiffness, or a combination thereof, as examples.
  • one or more of the central coupling members 70 (e.g., second connections) may be angled or curved similar to the curved coupling member 60 of FIG. 4, as another example.
  • FIG. 7 is a top view of another wound covering 2OC, which may be similar in some respects to that of FIG. 5.
  • the wound covering 2OC in this embodiment, is generally circular or in the shape of an oval as viewed from above, and may present a dome shaped covering as viewed from the end or side of the device.
  • the lateral support members 40 e.g., beams, which may be cambered
  • the wound covering 2OC may provide a similar degree of flexibility and protection as described before, for example, and provides a shape which may be better suited to some types of wounds, for instance.
  • the various straight (generally tunnel shaped) wound coverings discussed herein may (e.g., alternatively) be formed with semi-circular ends (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7) so that the ends of the wound covering are closed and provide a more gentle transition when extending from the skin.
  • the lateral support members 4OA e.g., end beams
  • the ends of the wound covering 2OC may be modified such as to provide a larger base and thereby accommodate a more secure attachment to the skin.
  • FIG. 8 a top view of another wound covering 2OD similar to that of FIG. 5 is shown.
  • the lateral support members 40 e.g., beams
  • Curved lateral support members 40 may provide some increased flexibility and may also reduce the likelihood that a planar object such as a ruler passes therethrough and contacts the wound.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of another wound covering 2OE, which may be similar to that of FIG. 5 in some respects.
  • the wound covering 2OE in this embodiment, has a concave shape (e.g., at the ends of beams or support members 40), and may fit better than other embodiments between two fingers or another narrow location to protect a wound, for example.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 show another flexible structural apparatus or wound covering 2OF.
  • Apparatus 2OF includes lateral support members 40 (e.g., beams), end coupling members 50 (e.g., first connections), and central coupling members 70 (e.g., second connections) as have been discussed.
  • FIG. 11 shows how the apparatus, in this embodiment, forms a dome 80 which may extend above a wound, for example, to protect the wound.
  • the wound covering 2OF may extend beyond the dome 80 as indicated at 90 in order to provide additional surface area for securely attaching the wound covering apparatus to the skin, for example. This may prevent the wound covering 2OF from accidentally being torn or otherwise removed form the skin, for instance.
  • the extended areas 90 are formed, in this embodiment, with lateral extending members 100 (e.g., beams), end coupling members 50, and central coupling members 70 so that the extended areas 90 can flex and stretch in a manner similar to that of the raised dome 80.
  • the wound covering 20 is attached to skin 110 so as to protect a wound 120.
  • the wound covering 20 may be attached to the skin 110 with an adhesive 130, for example.
  • the wound covering 20 may include a generally continuous protective layer 140, in some embodiments.
  • the protective layer 140 may be (or include) gauze or other appropriate medical covering, and may serve to keep contaminants such as dirt or liquids from coming in contact with the wound 120, for example.
  • the protective layer 140 may be an integral part of the wound covering 20 or may be a separate structure which may be applied to the wound covering 20 and skin 110 with medical tape 150 or the like after applying the wound covering 20 to the skin, as examples.
  • a tape or wrap may be used that sticks to itself better than to other materials, or is more cohesive than adhesive, for example.
  • Coban is an example of such a tape or wrap, for instance.
  • Such a tape or wrap may be used to avoid or reduce pulling on fur, hair, or skin when removed, to facilitate reuse after inspection of the wound, or a combination thereof, as examples.
  • a structural apparatus or wound covering device may be covered with spines or spikes.
  • spines or spikes may keep the animal from licking or otherwise touching the device.
  • Other embodiments may use a bad tasting substance applied to the device, as another example, or may have an increased surface roughness, as yet another example.
  • the wound covering 20 forms a protective barrier above the wound 120 which isolates the wound from contact as well as from contaminants. Ointment or the like may be placed on the wound 120 and remain on the wound.
  • wound covering 20 may be advantageous because it may provide a strong structure which is resistant to collapse and deformation while still being very flexible and allowing various types of movement of the skin 110, such as stretching, skewing, bending, twisting, etc.
  • various embodiments of the invention have other uses. Some embodiments may be used as springs or as devices for protecting certain body parts (e.g., from physical trauma in high-risk activities such as sports), as examples. Other uses may be apparent to a person of skill in the art.
  • Such an apparatus may include multiple substantially parallel beams (e.g., support members 40) which may include two end beams (e.g., 40A) and multiple intermediate beams (e.g., 40B), for instance.
  • the intermediate beams (e.g., 40B) are in between the two end beams (e.g., 40A), for example.
  • each beam (e.g., 40) may have a length (e.g., 40L), a width (e.g., 40W), and a height (e.g., 40H).
  • the length (e.g., 40L) may be at least four times greater than the width (e.g., 40W), the length (e.g., 40L) may be at least four times greater than the height (e.g., 40H), or both.
  • the length (e.g., 40L) may be at least three, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 12, 15, 20, or 25 times greater than the width (e.g., 40W), the length may be at least three, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 12, 15, 20, or 25 times greater than the height (e.g., 40H), or a combination thereof, as other examples.
  • connections e.g., connecting members or coupling members 50, 70, etc.
  • beams e.g., 40
  • each connection e.g., 50
  • each beam e.g., 40
  • each intermediate beam e.g., 40B
  • FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27 Examples are shown in FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27.
  • each connection e.g., 50 or 70
  • the width dimension (e.g., 50W or 70W) of the connection may be no greater than one fourth of the length of either of the beams (e.g., 40) that the connection may be between, for instance.
  • the width dimension (e.g., 50W or 70W) of the connection may be no greater than one third, one fifth, one sixth, one eighth, one tenth, 1/12, 1/16, 1/20, or 1/25 of the length of either of the beams (e.g., 40) that the connection may be between, as other examples.
  • each intermediate beam (e.g., 40B) may be restrained relative to other beams (e.g., 4OA or 40B) only at the connections (e.g., 50 or 70), for example.
  • the multiple connections include different classifications of connections, or connections at different locations (e.g., relative to each other) or connecting to different beams (e.g., 40), such as (e.g., multiple) first connections (e.g., 50) and second connections (e.g., 70), for example.
  • multiple intermediate beams each have at least one first connection (e.g., 50) to a first adjacent beam (e.g., 4OA or 40B)) and at least one second connection (e.g., 70) to a second adjacent beam (e.g., on the other side).
  • first connection e.g., 50
  • second connection e.g., 70
  • two beams e.g., 40
  • two beams are said to be adjacent if there is no other substantially parallel beam in between them and the two beams are separated by a distance no greater than one half of the length of the shorter of the two beams.
  • substantially parallel means either that the two beams, for example, are parallel to within 10 degrees, or that the beams can be flexed into a parallel position without the average stress in any cross section of the beams or connections exceeding the yield stress.
  • substantially parallel means either that the two beams, for example, are parallel to within 10 degrees, or that the beams can be flexed into a parallel position without exceeding 10 percent of the yield stress anywhere in the beams or connections.
  • the at least one first connection (e.g., 50) and the at least one second connection (e.g., 70) are spaced apart along the length (e.g., 40L) of the beam by a distance of at least one fourth of the length of the beam with no other connections therebetween.
  • the at least one first connection (e.g., 50) and the at least one second connection (e.g., 70) are spaced apart along the length (e.g., 40L) of the beam by a distance of at least three quarters, two thirds, one half, one third, one fifth, one sixth, one eighth, or one tenth, of the length of the beam, as other examples, (e.g., with no other connections therebetween).
  • the connections alternate between the (e.g., at least one) first connection (e.g., 50) and the (e.g., at least one) second connection (e.g., 70). Examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27. (In FIGS. 1-4, connections 50 on one side of the apparatus or the beams 40 may be considered the first connections, and connections 50 on the other side may be considered the second connections.)
  • multiple intermediate beams each have at least two first connections (e.g., 50) to a first adjacent beam (e.g., on one side) and at least one second connection (e.g., 70) to a second adjacent beam (e.g., on the other side), for example. Examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27.
  • each of the at least two first connections ⁇ e.g., 50) and the at least one second connection ⁇ e.g., 70) are spaced apart along the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam by a distance between connections ⁇ e.g., 50 and 70) of at least one fourth of the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam ⁇ e.g., 40B).
  • each of the at least two first connections and the at least one second connection are spaced apart along the length of the beam by a distance between connections of at least two fifths, one third, one fifth, one sixth, one eighth, or one tenth of the length of the beam, as other examples.
  • the connections alternate between the at least two first connections ⁇ e.g., 50) and the at least one second connection ⁇ e.g., 70), for example. Again, examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27.
  • each beam ⁇ e.g., 40 has a first end ⁇ e.g., 40X) and a second end ⁇ e.g., 40Y), and for each of the multiple intermediate beams ⁇ e.g., 40B), for instance, one of the first connections ⁇ e.g., 50) may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam from the first end ⁇ e.g., 40X).
  • one of the first connections ⁇ e.g., 50 may be located along the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam ⁇ e.g., 40) within a distance of no more than one third, one fourth, one sixth, one seventh, one eighth, one tenth, 1/15, or 1/20 of the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam from the first end ⁇ e.g., 40X), as other examples.
  • one of the first connections ⁇ e.g., 50 may be located along the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam ⁇ e.g., 40) within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length of the beam from the second end ⁇ e.g., 40Y).
  • one of the first connections ⁇ e.g., 50) may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one third, one fourth, one sixth, one seventh, one eighth, one tenth, 1/15, or 1/20 of the length of the beam from the second end ⁇ e.g., 40Y), as other examples.
  • one of the first connections ⁇ e.g., 50 may be located at the first end ⁇ e.g., 40X) of the beam
  • one of the first connections ⁇ e.g., 50 may be located at the second end ⁇ e.g., 40Y) of the beam, or both. Examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27.
  • each beam ⁇ e.g., 40 has a midpoint ⁇ e.g., 40M), and ⁇ e.g., for each of the multiple intermediate beams 40B) at least one second connection ⁇ e.g., 70) may be located along the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length of the beam from the midpoint ⁇ e.g., 40M).
  • At least one second connection ⁇ e.g., 70 may be located along the length ⁇ e.g., 40L) of the beam ⁇ e.g., 40) within a distance of no more than one third, one fourth, one sixth, one seventh, one eighth, one tenth, 1/15, or 1/20 of the length of the beam from the midpoint (e.g., 40M), as other examples.
  • one second connection (e.g., 70) may be located along the length (e.g., 40L) of the beam at the midpoint (e.g., 40M), for example. Examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27.
  • each (i.e., every) intermediate beam has at least two first connections (e.g., 50) to a first adjacent beam (e.g., 40) and at least one second connection (e.g., 70) to a second adjacent beam (e.g., 40).
  • multiple of the intermediate beams each have precisely two first connections (e.g., 50) to the first adjacent beam, and precisely one second connection (e.g., 70) to the second adjacent beam, or both. Examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 5-11, 13-17, and 20-27.
  • multiple or each of the intermediate beams each have precisely one, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten first connections (e.g., 50) to the first adjacent beam, and precisely two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten second connections (e.g., 70) to the second adjacent beam, or a combination thereof, as other examples.
  • Some embodiments have one more of the first connections (e.g., 50) than the second connections (e.g., 70), for instance.
  • multiple intermediate beams each have precisely one first connection (e.g., 50 on side 40X) to a first adjacent beam (e.g., 40) and precisely one second connection (e.g., 50 on side 40Y) to a second adjacent beam (e.g., 40). Examples are shown in FIGS. 1-3, for instance.
  • the one first connection and the one second connection are spaced apart along the length (e.g., 40L) of the beam by a distance of at least one third of the length of the beam.
  • the one first connection and the one second connection are spaced apart along the length of the beam by a distance of at least one quarter of the length of the beam, at least one half of the length of the beam, at least five eights of the length of the beam, at least three fourths of the length of the beam, at least seven eights of the length of the beam, or at least nine tenths of the length of the beam, as other examples. Examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 1-3.
  • the first connection may be located along the length (e.g., 40L) of the beam within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length of the beam from the first end (e.g., 40X).
  • the first connection may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one third, one fourth, one sixth, one seventh, one eighth, one tenth, 1/12, 1/15, 1/20, or 1/25 of the length of the beam from the first end (e.g., 40X), as other examples.
  • the second connection may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one fifth of the length (e.g., 40L) of the beam from the second end (e.g., 40Y). And in some embodiments, for each of the multiple intermediate beams, for example, the second connection may be located along the length of the beam within a distance of no more than one third, one fourth, one sixth, one seventh, one eighth, one tenth, 1/12, 1/15, 1/20, or 1/25 of the length of the beam from the second end (e.g., 40Y), as other examples.
  • the first connection may be located at the first end (e.g., 40X) of the beam
  • the second connection may be located at the second end (e.g., 40Y) of the beam, or both, as further examples.
  • examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 1-3.
  • connections are straight (e.g., perpendicular to the length 4OL of the beams), but in other embodiments, the connections may be curved (e.g., in two or three dimensions).
  • An example are the curved coupling members 60 shown in FIG. 4.
  • Connections 50 in FIG. 9 are also curved.
  • Various curved connections may have a shape of an arch, part of a sine wave, an arc, part of a parabola, part of a hyperbola, part of a helix, part of a spiral, etc.
  • some, multiple, or all of the intermediate beams may each have a preformed camber in a direction of the height (e.g., 40H) of the beam (i.e., in the plane of the height 4OH and length 4OL of the beam and visible when viewed from the side).
  • Different embodiments may have different amounts of camber. Examples are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 13-16, 20, 23-25, and 27, for instance.
  • Beams may be higher in the middle (e.g., at 40M) than at the ends (e.g., 4OX and 40Y), for example, and may have a constant radius of curvature (e.g., form an arc) or may have a parabolic shape (e.g., concave downwards), as examples.
  • different intermediate beams e.g., 40B
  • the amount of camber varies from beam to beam from a lesser amount of camber (e.g., in vertical dimension) near the end beams to a greater amount of camber midway between the end beams. Examples are shown in FIGS. 11, 13-16, 23, 24, and 25, for instance.
  • different intermediate beams e.g., 40B
  • different intermediate beams e.g., 40B
  • the lengths (e.g., 40L) of the beams varies from beam to beam from a lesser length near the end beams to a greater length midway between the end beams. Examples are shown in FIGS. 7, 13, 14, 16, 24, and 25, for instance.
  • Some embodiments include an adhesive (e.g., 130 shown in FIG. 12).
  • wound covering devices may have an adhesive at the perimeter (e.g., at ends 4OX and 4OY, at end beams 4OA, or both) to attach the device to the patient's skin or other tissue (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12), or to a ring pad (e.g., 240 and 250 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25).
  • an adhesive at the perimeter (e.g., at ends 4OX and 4OY, at end beams 4OA, or both) to attach the device to the patient's skin or other tissue (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12), or to a ring pad (e.g., 240 and 250 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25).
  • each beam has a first end (e.g., 40X) and a second end (e.g., 40Y), and, for each of multiple beams (e.g., 40B), for instance, (or for all beams 40, in some embodiments) at least the first end (e.g., 40X) and the second end (e.g., 40Y) include the adhesive (e.g., 130), for example.
  • the beams (e.g., 40) and connections are all formed from a common piece of material. In particular embodiments, this material may be plastic, metal, or a composite material, as examples.
  • various layers of different materials may be used for the beams (e.g., 40), connections (e.g., 50, 70, or both), or both.
  • a sandwich material or structure may be used.
  • some embodiments may have a higher strength top and bottom layer with a lighter spacer material in between.
  • a body material may be coated with a coating that may add strength, reduce or increase friction, or the like.
  • Some embodiments may have fiber reinforcement, which may be parallel to the beams (e.g., in the direction of the length, 40L), parallel to the connections (e.g., in the direction 40W), concentrated at the top, concentrated at the bottom, or a combination thereof, as examples.
  • Some embodiments may be shaped flat on the bottom, while other embodiments may have a different shape on the bottom, for example, for matching a patient's body in the case of a wound covering device.
  • the bottom may be concave downward or upward when viewed from the side or from the end, as examples.
  • Some embodiments may have a bottom shape that is concave upward when viewed from the side and concave downward when viewed from the end, or vice versa, as other examples.
  • Particular embodiments may be moldable, for example, heat moldable or UV moldable.
  • the apparatus e.g., beams 40, connections 50 or 70, or both
  • the apparatus may be made of a material that can be heated (e.g., in hot or boiling water) and bent by the user, and that will retain the shape that it is bent to when the material returns to room temperature or body temperature, for example.
  • shaping the apparatus to fit the body part e.g., knee 30 shown in FIG. 1
  • the apparatus e.g., beams, connections, or both
  • the apparatus may be made of a material that can be exposed to ultra violet light and bent by the user, and that will retain the shape that it is bent to when the apparatus is placed into service.
  • Certain embodiments may be made of a radiation-curable material that may moldable to the desired shape by the user and then may be cured to retain its shape or to become less ductile by exposure to radiation such as ultraviolet light.
  • the user that molds such embodiments may be the doctor, nurse, or patient, for example, in wound covering applications, and the apparatus may be shaped to better fit the body part that the wound covering device is used on.
  • Some embodiments may include an outer layer (e.g., layer 140 shown in FIG. 12) extending over multiple of the beams (e.g., 40).
  • the outer layer e.g., 140
  • the outer layer extends at least from the first end (e.g., 40X) to the second end (e.g., 40Y).
  • a number of embodiments include a layer (e.g., 140) that extends across at least a portion of multiple of the beams (e.g., 40).
  • the layer extends under, in between, or over the beams (or a combination thereof).
  • the layer may weave between the beams, or between groups of beams, for instance. These groups of beams may include, for example, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 12, or 15 beams, as examples.
  • the layer e.g., 140
  • the layer may attach to some or all of the beams ⁇ e.g., 40), connections ⁇ e.g., 50, 70, or both), or both, for example, while in other embodiments, the layer may not attach to the beams, may not attach to the connections, or both, for instance.
  • the outer layer ⁇ e.g., 140) extends across, past, or over each beam of the apparatus. In certain embodiments, the outer layer may be fabric or cloth or may be a thin flexible sheet, as examples.
  • multiple beam and connection structures may be used with one over the top of the other.
  • Beams in the different layers may be substantially parallel, substantially perpendicular ⁇ e.g., when viewed from above), or at an angle in between, as examples, to obtain the desired stiffness in various directions. Angles between beams in the different layers may be, for example, 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 degrees, as examples, or within a range therebetween.
  • one, two, three, four, five, or more separate layers of beams and connections may be used, for instance.
  • different layers may be connected to each other, while in other embodiments, different layers may not connect. Further, in some embodiments, an upper layer may completely cover a lower layer, while in other embodiments, an upper layer may cover only part of a lower layer. In some embodiments, different materials may be used for the different layers.
  • multiple ⁇ e.g., some or all) of the beams ⁇ e.g., 40) each have a substantially constant cross section along the length of the beam.
  • the cross section may change along one or more beams, for example, from a smaller cross section at the ends to a greater cross section in the middle of the beams.
  • the cross section may change along one or more beams, for example, from a larger cross section at the ends to a smaller cross section in the middle of the beams. Examples of cross sections of beams (e.g., 40), connections (e.g., 50, 70, or both), ring pads (e.g., 240 or 250), or a combination thereof, are shown in FIGS.
  • cross sections may be solid or hollow, as examples.
  • Such a cross section may provide a greater stiffness in resistance to forces perpendicular to the wound or the skin, for example (e.g., in the direction parallel to 40H), while providing greater flexibility or less stiffness in a direction parallel to the wound or skin and perpendicular to the beams, for example (e.g., in the direction of 40W).
  • the width (e.g., 40W) of beams, connections, or both may be increased, and the number of beams, connections, or both, may be reduced. In some embodiments, this may result in a width (e.g., 40W) of the beams (e.g., 40), connections (e.g., 50W or 70W), or both, that is greater than the height.
  • multiple (e.g., some or all) of the beams each have multiple bends (e.g., in a horizontal direction, or visible when viewed from above). Examples are bends IOOB shown, for instance, in FIGS. 10 and 11, which illustrate a zigzag shape when viewed from the top.
  • each of the beams has precisely four (4) bends (e.g., which may or may not include bends at the ends of the beams, which may be of a lesser angle, for instance, 45 degrees).
  • Other embodiments may have one, two, three, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 12, 15, or 20 bends per beam, as other examples.
  • multiple of the bends may be greater than 45 degree bends, greater than 60 degree bends, less than 135 degree bends, less than 120 degree bends, or a combination thereof, as examples.
  • multiple of the bends e.g., IOOB
  • are approximately 90 degree bends e.g., as shown).
  • approximately 90 degrees means between 80 degrees and 100 degrees.
  • the beams are nested together so that the bends (e.g., IOOB) in adjacent beams substantially line up. Examples are shown, for instance, in FIGS. 10 and 11.
  • the connections each have a length (e.g., 50L or 70L) perpendicular to the length (e.g., 40L) of the beams (e.g., 40) and parallel to the width (e.g., 40W) of the beams.
  • the length (e.g., 50L or 70L) of the connection may be less than one fifth of the length (e.g., 40L) of the beams (e.g., 40) that the connection is in between.
  • the length of the connection may be less than one third, one fourth, one sixth, one seventh, one eighth, one tenth, 1/12, 1/15, or 1/20 of the length of the beams that the connection is in between.
  • the length (e.g., 5OL or 70L) of the connection may be greater than the width (e.g., 40W) of the beams that the connection may be in between, or may be about equal to the width of the beams that the connection is in between.
  • about equal to means plus or minus 50 percent of the smaller dimension.
  • the connections (e.g., 50, 70, or both) between intermediate beams (e.g., 40B) each have a width (e.g., 50W, or 70W) perpendicular to the width (e.g., 40W) of the beams (e.g., 40) and parallel to the length (e.g., 40L) of the beams.
  • the width (e.g., 50W or 70W) of the connection may be about equal to the width (e.g., 40W) of the beams that the connection is in between, for example.
  • the length (e.g., 50L or 70L) of the connection may be greater than the width (e.g., 50W or 70W) of the connection, for example.
  • the length of the connection (e.g., 50L or 70L) may be less than twice the width (e.g., 50W or 70W) of the connection. In other (or the same) embodiments, however, the length of the connection may be less than 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 4, or 5 times the width of the connection, as other examples.
  • the at least one first connection (e.g., 50) and the at least one second connection (e.g., 70) are spaced apart along the length of the beam by the distance of at least four times the width (e.g., 40W) of the beam.
  • the at least one first connection and the at least one second connection are spaced apart along the length of the beam by the distance of at least three, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 12, 15, 20, or 25 times the width of the beam, as other examples.
  • the length (e.g., 40L) may be at least four times greater than the width (e.g., 40W) and the length may be at least five times greater than the height (e.g., 40H), and the width (e.g., 50W or 70W) dimension of the connection may be no greater than three times the width (e.g., 40W) of either of the beams (e.g., 40) that the connection is in between, as another example.
  • the at least one first connection and the at least one second connection are spaced apart along the length (e.g., 40L) of the beam by a distance of at least four times the width (e.g., 40W) of the beam with no other connections therebetween. Examples are shown in the drawings.
  • the flexible structural apparatus may be used as a spring, as another example.
  • Some such embodiments may include at least one attachment feature (e.g., 210 shown in FIGS. 21-23) which may be located at an end beam (e.g., 40A), for example.
  • a number of embodiments may include at least two or precisely two attachment features (e.g., 210), for instance, which may be located at each of the two end beams (e.g., 40A) (e.g., at opposite ends of the apparatus), for example (e.g., as shown in FIG. 22).
  • each end beam (e.g., 40a) has a midpoint (e.g., 40M) and at least one attachment feature (e.g., 210) is located at the midpoint (e.g., 40M) of an end beam (e.g., 40A). Examples are shown in FIGS. 21 and 23.
  • the two attachment features (e.g., 210) are each located at the midpoint (e.g., 40M) of an end beam (e.g., 40A) at each of the two end beams, for example (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 21 and 23).
  • the at least one attachment feature may include at least four or precisely four attachment features (e.g., as shown in FIG. 22).
  • the four attachment features are located at the two end beams (e.g., 40A).
  • two of the four attachment features may be located at each of the end beams (e.g., as shown in FIG. 22).
  • Such attachment features may be at the ends (e.g., 4OX and 40Y) of the end beams (e.g., 40A) or may be substantially equal distant from each of the ends (e.g., 4OX and 40Y) or from the midpoints (e.g., 40M), as examples.
  • Other embodiments may have one attachment feature in one end beam and two attachment features in the other end beam, as another example.
  • Still other embodiments may clamp to or otherwise attach to the end beams (e.g., at one or both ends), or may push against the end beams, as other examples.
  • the at least one attachment feature may include a through hole, or each of the attachment features may include a through hole, as examples.
  • the hole may receive a fastener or a pin, as examples.
  • attachment features having through holes are shown in FIGS. 21-23, for example.
  • Other examples of attachment features include slots, tabs, hooks, holes that do not extend completely through, threaded holes, and the like.
  • the holes shown are round.
  • Other embodiments may have holes that are square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, triangular, slotted, splined, etc., as examples.
  • springs may be used as tension or compression springs, as examples.
  • Springs with at least two attachment features (e.g., 210 as shown in FIG. 22) on at least one end may be used to provide a component of spring force or movement parallel to the beams (e.g., 40), as another example.
  • springs may be located or guided between two surfaces which may be flat or curved surfaces, as examples.
  • springs may be flat (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, while in other embodiments, springs may be curved (e.g., have camber as described herein) for example, as shown in FIG. 23.
  • Such curvature or camber may be the same for each of the beams (e.g., 40) in the apparatus (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) or may vary (e.g., as shown in FIG. 23), for example.
  • the beams (e.g., 40) may be used as leaf springs, as another example, for instance, in compression between two flat plates using the camber of the beams, or loaded at the midpoint (e.g., 40M) and ends (e.g., 4OX and 40Y) of the beams, for instance.
  • Embodiments that are used for springs may be metal or carbon fiber, as examples.
  • Metal embodiments may be stamped or machined, as examples, and may be stainless steel (e.g., austenitic or martensitic) or carbon steel, for instance.
  • Some embodiments may be work hardened or heat treated, as examples.
  • Certain embodiments include a base (e.g., 240 or 250) and a removable top portion (e.g., 241).
  • a base e.g., 240 or 250
  • a removable top portion e.g., 241
  • "removable” means that the parts can be disassembled from each other in whole or in part (e.g., swung away on a hinge, such as hinge 244) without significant damage to either part (e.g., 240 or 241) and reassembled in the same manner multiple times.
  • a base e.g., 240 or 250
  • a removable top portion e.g., 241, for instance, comprising beams 40 and connections 50, 70, or both
  • the base may be flexible (e.g., made of foam or an elastomer, as examples).
  • some specific embodiments may include a ring pad (e.g., 240 or 250) wherein the beams, the connections, the lateral support members, the coupling members, the end beams, or a combination thereof, for example, are configured to mount on the ring pad.
  • the ring pad may be made of or include foam, for example, and may be relatively flexible.
  • the ring pad may include one split (e.g., 255) or may include at least two splits (e.g., 255) and may consist of multiple segments (e.g., 257).
  • the ring pad 250 has precisely two splits 255 and the ring pad 250 consists of precisely two segments 257.
  • Other embodiments of ring pads may have one, three, four, five, six, or more splits, and may consist of only one segment, three segments, four segments, five segments, six segments, or more segments, as examples.
  • the ring pad may be a continuous ring with no splits, as another example (e.g., as shown in FIG. 24.
  • the ring pad may be oval (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25) or may be round, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, triangular, or rhomboidal, as examples. Some embodiments with straight sides may have rounded corners, as other examples.
  • the ring pad may include a substantially flat bottom surface, a substantially flat top surface, or both, for example.
  • the ring pad may include an adhesive (e.g., similar to 130) that is applied to at least a portion of the bottom surface, an adhesive that is applied to at least a portion of the top surface, or both.
  • the adhesive may be applied to all or essentially all of the bottom surface, to all or essentially all of the top surface, or both.
  • the adhesive on the bottom surface may be used to attach the ring pad to the patient's skin, for instance.
  • the adhesive on the top surface may be used to attach the beams, connections, end beams, or the like, to the ring pad, for example.
  • a reusable adhesive may be used.
  • Other embodiments may employ a ring pad fastener (e.g., 246) instead of or in addition to the adhesive on the top surface, for example.
  • a ring pad fastener may be configured to attach the ring pad (e.g., 240) to the beams (e.g., the end beams 40A), the connections (e.g., 50), the lateral support members, the coupling members, or a combination thereof, for example.
  • the ring pad fastener may include, or the top surface of the ring pad may include, a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro) that may include multiple hooks and multiple loops, for instance.
  • the top surface of the ring pad (e.g., 240 or 250) may be covered with loops at the bottom surface of the connections (e.g., 50) or ends (e.g., 4OX and 40Y) of the beams, the bottom surface of the end beams (e.g., 40A), or both, may be covered (e.g., in whole or in part) with hooks sized and shaped to attach to the loops.
  • the beams and connections e.g., top portion 241 may be removable from the ring pad (e.g., for inspection or treatment of the wound) and may be configured to be reattached without significant damage to the apparatus or fastener, for instance.
  • the at least one ring pad fastener may include at least one snap fastener, as another example.
  • the embodiment shown in FIG. 24 has one snap fastener 246 and one hinge 244, but other embodiments may have multiple snap fasteners such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, ten, or more snap fasters, as other examples, with or without one or more hinges.
  • snap fasteners e.g., 246 may attach to or be part of one or both end beams (e.g., 40A), to connections (e.g., 50) at the ends of beams, or a combination thereof, as examples.
  • a hinge (or multiple hinges) (e.g., 244) may be used or configured to attach the ring pad (e.g., 240) to one or more of the beams (e.g., an end beam 40A), the connections (e.g., 50), the lateral support members, the coupling members, or a combination thereof, as examples.
  • Many embodiments e.g., of wound covering devices
  • Other embodiments may be shorter (e.g., have fewer intermediate beams 40B) and may be connected together to be used with larger wounds.
  • the flexible structural apparatus or the wound covering may include at least one module fastener (e.g., 264, 265, or 266 shown in FIG. 26) configured to connect multiple modules (e.g., 261 and 262) of the flexible structural apparatus or the wound covering together to form a larger flexible structural apparatus or wound covering, for example.
  • FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate examples of such embodiments.
  • pieces of the device e.g., modules 261 and 262 or 271 and 272
  • the (e.g., at least one) module fastener e.g., 264, 265, or 266) is located in at least one of the connections (e.g., 50 or 70) or in at least one of the coupling members, for example.
  • the (e.g., at least one) module fastener is located in at least one of the end beams (e.g., 40A) of the module or in at least one of the lateral support members, for example.
  • the (e.g., at least one) module fastener may be a snap fastener, for example. Certain alternate embodiments of module fasteners are shown in the detail cross- section views of FIG. 26, for example.
  • the at least one module fastener e.g., 264, 265, or 266 is located in at least one of the first connections (e.g., 50, shown in FIG. 27) described herein, while in other embodiments, the at least one module fastener is located in at least one of the second connections (e.g., 70, shown in FIG. 26). Still other embodiments may have module fasteners in both first and second connections, as another example.
  • the at least one module fastener is located proximate a middle (e.g., 40M) of a beam (e.g., an end beam of the module), and in some embodiments, the at least one module fastener may include a first module fastener 276 and a second module fastener 277 and the first module fastener and the second module fastener may be located at opposite ends (e.g., 4OX and 40Y) of a beam (e.g., an end beam of the module), for instance.
  • tape may be used instead of, or in addition to, other fasteners.
  • Sticky or non-sticky (e.g., Coban) tape may be used, in various embodiments, for instance.
  • various embodiments may have a rectangular shape which may have plain or square ends (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 15, 17, 21, 22, and 23) or may have jagged ends (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11). Some embodiments may have rounded corners or rounded ends (e.g., FIGS. 13, 15, 21, 22, 23, 26 and 27) or may be oval (e.g., FIGS. 7, 14, 24, and 25) or round in shape, as other examples.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate examples of particular other shapes when viewed from above.
  • various such shapes, or other shapes can be formed from modular components ⁇ e.g., of FIGS. 26 or 27).
  • inventions include various methods of use and various method of manufacture of such flexible structural apparatuses, springs, and wound covering devices.
  • Methods in accordance with the invention include various combinations of the acts described herein, which may be combined with acts of forming, obtaining, or providing apparatuses or parts with various aspects of the structure described herein, as examples.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil structurel flexible pouvant être utilisé comme recouvrement de plaie qui s'étend sur la plaie de sorte que le recouvrement de plaie ne soit pas en contact avec la plaie et protégeant également la plaie contre tout contact. L'appareil assure un degré élevé de flexibilité tout en préservant une résistance structurelle et une résistance à l'affaissement, par exemple, pour la protection adéquate de la plaie. Divers modes de réalisation comportent des profilés et des raccordements parallèles entre profilés dont l'emplacement est alterné le long des profilés pour assurer la flexibilité. Certains modes de réalisation peuvent être utilisés comme ressorts et peuvent comporter des éléments d'attache, tels que des trous, qui peuvent être situés au niveau des profilés d'extrémité, par exemple.
PCT/US2010/023362 2009-02-05 2010-02-05 Appareil structurel flexible, ressort, recouvrement de plaie, et procédés WO2010091282A2 (fr)

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US61/150,204 2009-02-05

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US20100198128A1 (en) 2010-08-05
US9078784B2 (en) 2015-07-14

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